Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:38

What does Matthew 24:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:38 means

Jesus elaborates on the mundane conditions in Noah's day before the flood: "For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark." This description emphasizes that life was continuing normally, with people engaged in everyday activities. The point is not that these activities are inherently sinful, but that people were oblivious to the impending judgment and completely unprepared for God's intervention. This illustrates the deceptive normalcy that will precede Christ's sudden return.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because as in those days before the overflowing of the waters, they were feasting and taking wives and getting married, till the day when Noah went into the ark,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for as they were, in the days before the flood, eating, and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, till the day Noah entered into the ark,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For, as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, even till that day in which Noe entered into the ark:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For as they were in the days which were before the flood, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day on which Noe entered into the ark,

Context

This verse expands on the comparison to Noah's days, detailing the ordinary, unsuspecting activities that predominated before the flood. This description serves to highlight the state of spiritual unawareness that will characterize the world before Christ's return, leading directly to the consequence of this ignorance when the flood, or the Son of Man, comes unexpectedly.

v.37And as were the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of man.

v.38This passage

v.39and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Samuel 25:36

    And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

  • Amos 6:3

    —ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;

  • Matthew 22:30

    For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven.

  • Luke 14:18

    And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:29

    But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;

  • Genesis 7:7

    And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

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